Donald Ray LaPointe

Donald Ray LaPointe obituary, Klamath Falls, OR

Donald Ray LaPointe

Donald LaPointe Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by O'Hair-Wards Funeral Chapel on Jun. 23, 2025.

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Donald Ray LaPointe passed away at home in his sleep on June 7, 2025 from respiratory failure. Don was born in San Diego, California in 1954. He was raised in Connecticut and Southern California.
His most notable trait was his willingness to help people. He was a shirt-off-his-back kind of guy. He was the first to help financially or with physical labor, a ride, a meal or a call. He served people all his life. Animals were also a major priority and joy in his life.
Enjoying competition and athletically talented, he grew up bowling with his parents and continued bowling all his life. As a teenager, he trained with a nationally ranked Tae Kwon Do master and earned a black belt. In school, he was on the wrestling team and won the California State Championship. He was then sponsored to compete in Japan, where he placed high in international competition.
At Garden City (California) High School his coach was former San Francisco 49er Art Machalik, (AKA professional wrestler Boom Boom Machalik). He also competed for Machalik's teams at Pacifica High School and at Golden West Junior College.
After his education, Don enlisted in the Navy and was trained to work with radar. He served four years on several ships including the USS Coral Sea. His Vietnam experience and injuries had a profound impact on the rest of his life.
In his adult years, he worked on oil rigs in Texas. In New Mexico and Nevada. he worked for Pepsi and Coca-Cola. He worked in Medford, Oregon as a warehouseman for several companies and as a candy maker for Harry and David.
In 2020, his Medford home was burned down by the Alameda fire. By then, he had retired and he relocated to Klamath Falls.
Don was a life-long water lover. Summers in his youth he surfed the Pacific waves. He enjoyed boating, and water skiing with his family on the Colorado River. While in the Navy, he used his scuba diving skills to remove barnacles from ships and continued diving for fun after his military service. He loved white water rafting, especially on the Rogue River. Trained as a lifeguard, he saved multiple people from drowning including his own mother.
Most of all, Don loved and was proud of his family. He is survived by his wife, Laura Williams LaPointe, of Klamath Falls; his sister, Ann Shepherd of Gardnerville, Nevada; his son, Jeremy LaPointe, of Garden City, Kansas; his daughter, Jodi LaPointe of Southern California; and five grandchildren.
Don is dearly loved and will be missed by many.
Please join us on July 11, 2025: 9:00 a.m. for Military honors and internment at Eagle Point National Cemetery, 2763 Riley Road Eagle Point, OR 87524 and/or at 12:00 Noon for a Luncheon and Celebration of Life at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8830 Alva Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR 97603.
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July 8, 2025

Michael Baker posted to the memorial.

June 24, 2025

Cheryl Carney posted to the memorial.

June 23, 2025

O'Hair-Wards Funeral Chapel posted an obituary.

2 Entries

Michael Baker

July 8, 2025

I knew Don well in high school. He was a very gifted athlete having earned Varsity letters in football, baseball, wrestling and track. He was a very kind and giving person and we will all miss him dearly. Rest in peace Don !! Mike Baker

Cheryl Carney

June 24, 2025

So sorry to hear the passing of Don my condolences to his wife laura and his family.

Cheryl Carney

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O'Hair-Wards Funeral Chapel

515 Pine St, Klamath Falls, OR 97601

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Sign Donald LaPointe's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 8, 2025

Michael Baker posted to the memorial.

June 24, 2025

Cheryl Carney posted to the memorial.

June 23, 2025

O'Hair-Wards Funeral Chapel posted an obituary.